US4307740A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tooth cleaner
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1980-10-06
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Granted: 1981-12-29
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Expires: 2000-10-06
Abstract
Abstract A tooth cleaning, polishing and gum massaging device having a pair of fingers attached to extend on opposite sides of the teeth to be cleaned and supporting a cleaning thread which extends from one finger to the other and between the teeth, the surface of which are to be cleaned. There is an operating element which causes the fingers to move up and down relative to the teeth and for moving the cleaning thread back and forth in sideward directions, thus moving the cleaning thread up and down relative to the in-between surfaces of the teeth and moving the thread sidewardly, thus moving the cleaning thread in a plurality of directions.
Inventors
- 👤 Augusto Florindez
- 👤 Robert L. Gaylord
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 11:38
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C15/00; A61C15/04; A61C15/046; A61C15/047
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A cleaning and polishing device for cleaning and polishing the in-between surface between teeth having a body serving as a handle, the combination including: a. a cleaning thread support having fingers attached to extend on opposite sides of the teeth to be cleaned, b. a cleaning thread having a portion extending between said fingers, c. means for moving said fingers up and down relative to said body and to the teeth, thus moving the cleaning thread on the in-between surface of the teeth in an up and down direction, and d. means for moving said cleaning thread back and forth in a sideward direction between the fingers thus moving the thread back and forth in contact with the in-between surfaces of the teeth.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
A cleaning and polishing device for cleaning and polishing the in-between surface between teeth having a body serving as a handle, the combination including: a. a cleaning thread support having fingers attached to extend on opposite sides of the teeth to be cleaned, b. a cleaning thread having a portion extending between said fingers, c. means for moving said fingers up and down relative to said body and to the teeth, thus moving the cleaning thread on the in-between surface of the teeth in an up and down direction, and d. means for moving said cleaning thread back and forth in a sideward direction between the fingers thus moving the thread back and forth in contact with the in-between surfaces of the teeth.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A combination as defined in claim 1 in which the end portions of said fingers have gum massaging portions for engaging and massaging the gums.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, which includes motor means for simultaneously moving said fingers up and down relative to said handle and moving said cleaning thread horizontally back and forth.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
75 words
A combination as defined in claim 1 in which said fingers are a part of a thread support pivoted to the support structure of said device to swing back and forth, operating member carried by said support structure attached to oscillate back and forth, and a pin and cam means cooperating between said thread support and said operating member for swinging said thread support back and forth in order to move the thread supporting fingers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
97 words
A combination as defined in claim 1 in which the support structure of said device has an operating member which moves back and forth in a sidewardly direction, the operating member having two ends which alternately are projected from the supporting structure when said operating member moves back and forth, and in which said cleaning thread is engaged by said operating member to cause it to oscillate back and forth, thus causing the portion of the cleaning thread positioned between said fingers to move back and forth in a sideward direction during the cleaning and polishing operation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A combination as defined in claim 1 in which there is a means for holding said cleaning thread taut during its movement back and forth.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
A combination as defined in claim 2 which includes a depth gage adapted to engage the end of the tooth for properly positioning the fingers to move up and down relative to the teeth and to bring the gum massaging portion into engagement with the gums for massaging the gums.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
A combination as defined in claim 7 in which the depth gage is flexible in order to provide adjustability to the position in which the fingers are positioned.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-12-28 | 1985-06-29 | 1985-12-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-12-28 | 1989-06-29 | 1989-12-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-12-28 | 1993-06-29 | 1993-12-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |